Disability & Inclusion
The school sport structure provides students with disability opportunities to participate in sports and physical activity, from participation through to competitive formats. Although classification is not required to be involved at a participatory (or provisional) level, should an athlete wish to compete at regional, state, national or international level, classification must be obtained via the relevant sporting organisation.
Competitive Pathways
School sport pathways are open to students aged 8 to 19 years, providing opportunities to compete and progress from school-level sport through to higher-performance and Paralympic pathways.
School Sport WA offers para pathway opportunities in:
- Athletics
- Cross Country
- Swimming
- Triathlon & Aquathlon
To compete in multiclass events, students must hold a current eligible sporting classification. Classification requirements vary by sport, and not all disability types are recognised within every sport’s classification system.
Athletics
Athletics forms part of the SSWA para pathway for students with disability. Students must hold a current classification to compete in multiclass athletics events.
Cross Country
Cross Country is also part of the SSWA para pathway. Classification is required for students competing in multiclass Cross Country events.
Event distances are:
- 8 to 12 years: TBC
- 13 to 19 years: TBC
Specific rules and information for primary and secondary multiclass Cross Country events will be available separately.
Swimming
Swimming provides another competitive para pathway for students with disability. Students wishing to participate in multiclass swimming events must hold an eligible classification.
Triathlon & Aquathlon
Triathlon and Aquathlon are included within the SSWA para pathway. Students participating in multiclass events must have a current eligible classification and meet the relevant event requirements.
For more information click here.
School Sport WA (SSWA) also provides a range of opportunities for students with disability to participate in sport and physical activity in inclusive, supportive and enjoyable environments.
Come and Try Athletics
SSWA Come and Try Athletics Days give students with disability the opportunity to experience athletics in a supportive, enjoyable and non-competitive environment.
Students can explore a range of events and activities, including:
- 50m
- 100m
- 200m
- Shot Put
- Javelin
- Long Jump
These days are designed to help students build confidence, discover new interests and enjoy participating in athletics at their own pace.
Multi-Sport Days
SSWA Multi-Sport Days provide students with opportunities to explore a variety of sports and physical activities that are modified and adapted to support individual needs.
Collaboration with State Sporting Organisations is an important part of these events, helping to deliver fun, inclusive and engaging activities that build confidence and participation in sport.
Throughout the day, students take part in a variety of modified games, skill sessions and practice activities in a non-competitive environment.
Multi-Sport Days also provide valuable opportunities for teachers to build their knowledge and confidence in delivering inclusive sport and Physical Education. Teachers can ask questions, develop sport-specific skills and learn practical ways to adapt activities and learning environments so they are accessible to all students.
For more information click here.
Classification
Classification is required for students with disability who wish to compete in School Sport WA events. It groups athletes based on their impairment to help ensure competition is fair and equitable.
Classification is completed separately for each sport and is overseen by the relevant sporting organisation.
The main classification categories are:
- Autism – Sport Inclusion Australia
- Deaf & Hard of Hearing – Deaf Sports Australia
- Vision Impairment – Sport Inclusion Australia
- Intellectual Impairment – Sport Inclusion Australia
- Physical Impairment – Athletics Australia and Swimming Australia
- Transplant – Transplant Australia
Students may receive different levels of classification depending on the level of competition:
- Provisional – eligible up to School Sport Australia level
- National – eligible up to national level
- International – eligible for international competition
- Review – eligible to compete, with reassessment required in the nominated year
The classification process may involve completing an eligibility form, providing medical documentation and, where required, assessment by a medical practitioner or specialist.
Requirements vary between sports and classification categories.
For more information click here
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Multiclass is a competition format that allows students with disability to compete meaningfully against athletes from different classification groups. Multiclass events are offered across athletics, cross country, swimming and triathlon/aquathlon.
To compete, students must hold a current eligible classification with provisional, national, international or review status.
How are results determined?
Multiclass placings are not always based on who finishes first, swims fastest or throws the furthest. Instead, each athlete’s performance is compared against a benchmark for their classification using a sport-specific scoring system.
This allows performances across different classifications to be compared fairly.
- Athletics – Uses Baseline Performance, where an athlete’s time or distance is compared with an approved benchmark for their classification and event. This produces a percentage, with the highest percentage determining the winner.
- Cross Country – Also uses Baseline Performance. An athlete’s result is compared with the relevant MDS benchmark time for their classification and event. The highest percentage determines the final placing.
- Swimming – Uses the Multi-Class Point Score (MCPS) system. An athlete’s time is compared with an approved benchmark for their classification and event to generate a points score. The swimmer with the highest score wins.
- Triathlon & Aquathlon – Form part of the para pathway within school sport. Students wishing to compete in multiclass events must hold an eligible classification and compete under the applicable event distances, rules and guidelines.
For more information click here.
